Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Several years ago, I spoke with a co-worker about tithing. While I was coming from a Catholic background she was coming from a non-denominational one. I didn’t know the statistics for how much the average Catholic gives or if the Church had an official recommendation for tithing. My understandings were rudimentary at best. When she shared her experiencing of tithing I was floored.
She shared that she had been raised to give 10% right off the top, before electric, gas, car payment, and even before taxes. There was no question of what she would give, and she knew her priority was to support her church and her brothers and sisters. I'm not saying we all have to give exactly like that, but recalling how awkward I felt about how little I gave, I wonder how I would have felt watching the widow in today’s Gospel.
Both women, my co-worker and the widow, show me that tithing and alms giving are more than just doing my part. Instead it is an exercise in trust and humility. True giving expresses that I trust that God will provide even if I give more than is 'smart'.
It is humbling for two reasons. First, I admit that what God can do with my money is far greater than what I can do. Second, I gain practice putting the needs of the community or even other individuals above my own. In this way, tithing is less of a monetary pot-luck, a more of a real-life Stone Soup.
This kind of giving that grows our trust and faith in God and humbles us before others is the alms giving that is described in Tobit. It is the kind that Raphael couples with righteousness and the overcoming of sin. Another way to put it, the church envelope or the donation to Catholic Relief Services are more than something for siblings to fight over doing (it always seemed more fun putting my parent's money in the basket, I'm not as eager now that it is my own).
This is the kind of giving that Christ did for us on the cross. A giving that is first and foremost for others, not about our ledger. One that might interrupt us, like Tobit's leaving the table to bury the dead. Lord, we ask for your generous heart so that we may give like you.
- Spencer Hargadon